DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Department of Public Health says state and local agencies are seeing a surge in reports of illness related to an uncommon strain of salmonella.

The department says in a news release Friday that officials have received 26 reports from 19 counties of illness related to a salmonella strain that is often associated with improper cooking of poultry or eggs.

Public health department Medical Director Patricia Quinlisk says the salmonella cases aren’t related to an outbreak in cyclosporiasis (sy-kloh-spor-EYE’-uh-sis) cases, though the symptoms are often similar.

The public health department recommends people be sure to grill chicken to an internal temperature of 165 degrees and reheat leftovers to that same temperature. Eggs used in potato salad or other dishes also should be cooked until the yolks are firm.